Switching device with slidable switch

Abstract

A switching device for electrically activating and deactivating a coaxial cable junction between a coaxial cable terminus and a connection jack, where both the terminus and connection jack have external and internal conductors, is disclosed. The switching device comprises an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external terminus conductor, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external connection jack conductor. An interior member disposed within the housing, has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal terminus conductor, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal connection jack conductor. A first electrically conductive path lies between the first and second end of the interior member, and a switch is disposed within this conductive path. The switch is capable of being alternated between (i) a first position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially transmittable between the terminus and connection jack, and (ii) a second position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially not transmittable between the terminus and connection jack.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A switching device for electrically activating and deactivating a coaxial cable junction between a first coaxial cable component and a second coaxial cable component, both having external and internal conductors, the switching device comprising: (a) an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the first component, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the second component;   (b) an interior member disposed within the housing, the interior member having a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the first component, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the second component;   (c) a first electrically conductive path between the first end of the interior member and the second end of the interior member;   (d) a slidable switch disposed within the conductive path, the switch capable of being alternated between (i) a first position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially transmittable between the first and second coaxial cable components, and (ii) a second position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially not transmittable between the first and second coaxial cable components; and   (e) a second electrically conductive path between the switch and the housing, wherein, in the second switch position, the second electrically conductive path electrically connects the first electrically conductive path to the housing, thereby substantially preventing the transmission of signals between the first and second coaxial cable components;   wherein the first electrically conductive path is formed by conductive material extending continuously from the first end of the interior member to the second end of the interior member, and wherein the second electrically conductive path comprises an electrically conductive disc extending radially outwardly from the interior member.   
     
     
       2. The switching device of claim 1, wherein, in the second position, the switch causes signal loss of at least about 50 dB between the first and second coaxial cable components. 
     
     
       3. The switching device of claim 1, wherein the interior member is a hollow pin. 
     
     
       4. The switching device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the housing has substantially the same external dimensions as a connection jack. 
     
     
       5. The switching device of claim 1, wherein one of the two ends of the switching device is shaped and dimensioned to connect to a connection jack. 
     
     
       6. The switching device of claim 1, wherein one of the two ends of the switching device is shaped and dimensioned to connect to a coaxial cable terminus. 
     
     
       7. The switching device of claim 1 further comprising coaxial cable with a characteristic impedance, and wherein the switching device has a characteristic impedance substantially equal to the characteristic impedance of the cable. 
     
     
       8. The switching device of claim 1, wherein the switch has a characteristic impedance of about 75 ohms. 
     
     
       9. The switching device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises: (a) a cap detachably attached to the external connection jack conductor; and   (b) a jacket slidably disposed over the cap, the jacket capable of being alternatively moved between the first and second switching positions.   
     
     
       10. The switching device of claim 9, wherein the cap has an exterior surface with spaced apart first and second annular grooves therein and the jacket has an interior surface with an annular channel therein, and wherein a ring is situated within the jacket channel, the ring having a biased portion extending from the jacket channel, so that, when the jacket is in the first switching position, the biased portion of the ring engages the first annular groove on the cap, and when the jacket is in the second switching position, the biased portion of the ring engages the second annular groove on the cap. 
     
     
       11. The switching device of claim 9, wherein the cap is dimensioned to fit over an F-port device. 
     
     
       12. A switching device for electrically activating and deactivating a coaxial cable junction between a first coaxial cable component and a second coaxial cable component, both having external and internal conductors, the switching device comprising: (a) an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the first component, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the second component;   (b) an interior member disposed within the housing, the interior member having a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the first component, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the second component;   (c) a first electrically conductive path between the first end of the interior member and the second end of the interior member; and   (d) a switch disposed within the conductive path, the switch capable of being alternated between (i) a first position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially transmittable between the first and second coaxial cable components, and (ii) a second position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially not transmittable between the first and coaxial cable components;   wherein the switch further comprising a second electrically conductive path between the switch and the housing, wherein, in the second switch position, the second electrically conductive path electrically connects the first electrically conductive path to the housing;   wherein the first electrically conductive path is formed by conductive material extending continuously from the first end of the interior member to the second end of the interior member, and wherein the second electrically conductive path comprises an electrically conductive disc extending radially outwardly from the interior member;   wherein the switch comprises (i) a cap detachably attached to the external connection jack conductor; and   (ii) a jacket slidably disposed over the cap, the jacket capable of being alternatively moved between the first and second switching positions;     wherein the interior member is a hollow pin;   wherein the first end of the housing has substantially the same external dimensions as the connection jack so that a cable terminus can connect to the first end of the housing in the same manner as it would to a connection jack.   
     
     
       13. A combination comprising: (a) a coaxial cable connection jack having an internal conductor and an external conductor;   (b) a coaxial cable component comprising a coaxial cable terminus and a coaxial cable jack connector attached thereto, the coaxial cable terminus having an internal conductor and an external conductor;   (c) a switching device comprising: i. an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the connection jack, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the coaxial cable terminus;   ii. an interior member disposed within the housing, the interior member having a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the connection jack, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable terminus;   iii. a first electrically conductive path between the first end of the interior member and the second end of the interior member; and   iv. a slidable switch disposed within the conductive path, the switch capable of being alternated between (i) a first position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially transmittable between the connection jack and the coaxial cable component, and (ii) a second position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially not transmittable between the connection jack and the coaxial cable component; and     (d) a protective shroud attached to the connection jack, the protective shroud having extended sidewalls which surround the connection jack, the switching device and the connection jack connector.   
     
     
       14. A coaxial cable splicing device comprising: (a) back-to-back coaxial cable connection jacks, both having an internal conductor and an external conductor;   (b) a protective shroud attached to the coaxial cable connection jacks, the protective shroud comprising elongated sidewalls which surround the coaxial cable connection jacks;   (c) a switching device attached to one of the connection jacks, the switching device comprising: i. an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of one of the connection jacks, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external conductor of the other connection jack;   ii. an interior member disposed within the housing, the interior member having a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of one of the connection jacks, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal conductor of the other connection jack;   iii. a first electrically conductive path between the first end of the interior member and the second end of the interior member; and   iv. a slidable switch disposed within the conductive path, the switch capable of being alternated between (i) a first position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially transmittable between the two connection jacks, and (ii) a second position wherein high frequency electrical signals are substantially not transmittable between the two connection jacks.